Yosemite!

 Sunday, June 7th
Yosemite National Park, CA

 I got some great pictures on the tram tour.  I am posting a lot just in case you have not made it to Yosemite.  And if you have not been there, what are you waiting for?  I almost had to be pulled off a tree kicking and screaming because I wanted to stay so much.

 So there are people that climb these massive rocks.  Sometimes they don't even use rope.

 The day we were there we could see climbers that looked as tiny as birds.

 It can take days and they sleep on a portable ledge.  No thanks!

 On our way to Monterey there was a  town called "Los Banos"  Why?  That means bathrooms in Spanish.  In our exhaustion of driving after a full day in Yosemite and driving it sent us into a laughing fit until our stomachs hurt.

Camping!

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Leaving Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 7th we saw a Morton salt factory...Brie's question: How do they clean the salt?

  Nope, that's not snow...that's salt!

It's crazy how much the salt looked like snow.

 Once we left Nevada I was very happy because
a.) we were out of a VERY boring drive
 and
b.) we were in trees!

 Playing at the campsite in the water that was June Lake.

 Our camp site was in California and about two hours from Yosemite.  It was gorgeous: water, trees, and nature.

 I was pretty darn impressed by the fire I made (with a little help from Brie).  All of the years of wood stoves as a child growing up in Flagstaff finally paid off.

 This is the "bear box."  You put all the food in here otherwise there are bears. 

 Brie put up the tent (with a little help from me).  Go us!

More playing in the water.

Salt Lake City Picnic Lunch

Friday, June 6th
International Peace Park/Chinese Garden

 Stone Lions

 Sign Says Chinese Garden if you can't read it

 Love the idea of a peace park

 Swings...

 make everyone...

happy!

Taffy Factory!

Friday, June 6th 
Salt Lake City, UT

Sadly they don't do tours anymore, but we still left happy with a five pound bag of taffy (for everyone), lollipops as big as our heads (for the girls), and dark chocolate sea salt caramels (for me).  

Every new airport is an adventure

Friday, June 6th
The airport in Provo, UT was interesting...

 You can get your luggage in an outdoor tunnel...

 Pulled by a golf cart...

 The VIP section is a lovely set of leather room furniture...

But the mountains with the snow still on them were gorgeous!

Flagstaff Highlights

Spending six days in Flagstaff was so productive and fun.  A top ten list (not in any particular order):

1. Watching my niece blow out her candles as she turned two and my nephew's smile at just about anything
2. Good food and good company: Thai, Italian, Mexican
3. Finally getting my passport application turned in...now if someone would just fund my traveling
4. Having the air conditioning fixed in my car for $30
5. Shopping with my mom
6. Maleficent- not too bad at all and movie popcorn is always a bonus
7. Finishing two books
8. The Deer Farm with my sister-in-law, brother, and kiddos.  What is it about animals?
9. Getting to spend time with lots of loved ones
10.  Getting a much needed haircut 

Sunday Truth About Books

Inspired by a trip to Barnes and Noble today. 
I usually buy used  books off of Amazon or at Bookman's, but today I had a few coupons and a few newer titles I wanted.  
 For most of you this won't be news, but I LOVE BOOKS.  This is made very clear when I stop at the tables titled: "summer reads," "new in paperback," "what teens are reading right now," and "books to make you think."  I look at the books and they fall into these general categories: already read it, on my list to read, that author has a new book!?!, and a small minority of hmmm...that looks interesting.
 What is it about books?
When I was a kid it was about escape, new vocabulary words, and connecting with characters.
As an adult it's about books to recommend to my students, escape, a new perspective of person or place, and the peace of sitting down without distractions.  
Today I walked in with a list of six titles, only three were in stock, and I walked out with two of those and two that were unplanned.  At one point I had eleven books in my hands.  I had to sit down, flip through them, and narrow them down. 
In case you are interested my summer reading list just expanded to:
Dear Life by Alice Munro
Z A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

And the question of the day...What are YOU reading right now?  I am always on the lookout for something new.
Happy Reading!